Ukraine to launch a national network of electric car charging stations

Energoatom and Ukrgasbank signed a memorandum on the joint project implementation to deploy a national network of charging stations for electric cars.

The press service of the Energoatom company that operates Ukraine's nuclear power plants reported this.

The memorandum was the first step in implementing a project of this kind. It envisages joint project implementation using the financial capabilities of Ukrgasbank and the production and technical potential of Energoatom, the largest electricity producer in Ukraine.

"Today is another important step in electric transport infrastructure development and creating a national network of charging stations in Ukraine. We identified sources of funding for the development of this network throughout the country," said Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko.

In particular, Halushchenko noted that Ukraine fulfills part of its international obligations to decarbonize and reduce environmental pollution by deploying the network.

Instead, Energoatom says it has significant spare capacity to produce "cheap and clean electricity," which can also be supplied to new domestic market segments. "For Energoatom, it is also an entry into the retail market of electricity sales, which will significantly increase the company's capitalization," said Energoaton CEO Petro Kotin.

Last year, Ukrainians bought 8.5 thousand electric cars; it's 20% more than in 2020, Energoatom estimates. From April-May 2022, the demand for electric vehicles in Ukraine increased 15 times, mainly due to fuel shortages and rising prices.

As of June 1, 36.6 thousand electric cars are registered in Ukraine, and the monthly increase in the fleet of electric vehicles is about 800.